The next morning, Xiu Juan woke up with a headache. Luli’s mother quickly brewed some tea for her before making their return to the palace.

“It’s dong quai. I used the roots to brew. It should cure that headache of yours and cease your fever.”

“Mmm. Thank you, auntie.”

When they left, the sun was just about rising. Xiu Juan put on her cloak and covered her face with her scarf then mounted onto her horse.

“I’ll return soon, auntie and uncle,” she said to Luli’s parents. As their horses galloped away they swept the dew off the grass, leaving a trail.

When she reached the gates of the palace, she looked up at it and took a deep breath. When the guards saw the three horses approach they pointed their weapons at them as they were alarmed. Xiu Juan revealed her identity and they quickly let her pass. Royal advisors saw her approach and quickly scurried toward her direction.

“Princess Xiu Juan,” they scolded, “where were you last night? Why were you not present at your father’s funeral service?”

She turned to them and glared, not wanting to be questioned. Seeing her eyes speak out to them, they bowed their heads and sealed their lips.

“Princess,” Xiu Juan heard her name and turned to the direction of the voice. It was Shirong. She rolled her eyes away.

“Princess, welcome back home,” he said while walking up to her and bowed. “His majesty is looking for you.”

“He is still only Crown Prince until the court service. Why so eager to address him as such already?” Xiu Juan answered, not looking at him.

“I’m only proving that I trust his competence,” he said, squinting at her.

Xiu Juan scoffed then turned to him. He lowered his gaze.

“Royal advisor Shirong, your standards are rather low,” she interjected.

“Princess,” Luli pulled on Xiu Juan’s sleeve to control her.

She turned away and headed to her chamber. Everyone trembled at the thought of her fury and sighed in relief when she decided to walk off. Shirong frowned after Xiu Juan, beginning to fear that she probably suspected them.

Walking to her chamber, Xiu Juan stopped in her steps and turned her head toward the direction where her father’s chamber was. A knot grew in her throat and she sighed.

“Princess, is something wrong?” Bo asked.

She shook her head and continued onward, “No. Just thinking.”

When she reached her chamber, Bo parted his way to do his own duties. Xiu Juan put her bag down and took off her cloak and handed it to Luli. Before she could even sit down and take a little breath, a servant knocked on her door.

“Princess Xiu Juan, the Crown Prince wants to see you in the bonsai garden,” she announced.

She frowned and placed her hand on her aching forehead, cursing her brother.

“Tell him I’ll be on my way,” she said and the servant left. Luli helped her put on her black dress and black robe—the mourning gown—before leaving to speak with Jiao Long.

In the bonsai garden, Jiao Long was having a tea session with Shirong and a few other bureaucrats while having a portrait of himself painted. When he heard them announce the arrival of Xiu Juan, he quickly turned his head around and walked to her, welcoming her.

“Sister! Come, have a seat,” he smiled, “Where did you go last night? We were unable to find you. A woman like you shouldn’t be stepping out of the palace like that. It’s not proper. Especially when you are gone for a night.”

Xiu Juan rolled her eyes, irritated from his remark. “I wasn’t far from the palace. And I’ll stand, thank you,” she solemnly replied, observing the gathering around her. Several young maidens in white silk dresses and long sheer sleeves surrounded them, dancing and playing music. Four young royal male servants in black robes stood by Jiao Long, who had his best tea set placed out.

“This is a rather merry gathering you made for yourself, brother,” she commented coldly.

“Well we can’t be sad forever can we?” He cheered.

“We are still in mourning, Jiao Long. The ritual goes on for two more days,” she snapped.

He put his cup down and looked at her, “And after those two days, I will be appointed Emperor.” He sat himself down in front of the painter.

Xiu Juan tilted her head and glared at her brother. “Is that all you think about, Jiao Long? Is that all that’s important to you?” She scorned.

He scoffed, “You wouldn’t know what a man thinks. I now have responsibilities, Xiu Juan! I am Crown Prince of Qin!”

“Huh,” Xiu Juan relaxed her shoulders and kept her stare at him. “Tell me, brother, did you not weep at all at the death of our father?”

He lowered his eyes from the painter.

Feeling rage consume her heart, she raised her voice, “When you were there and watched them burn him to ashes, erasing his existence, answer your sister: did your heart not cry out for him!” She demanded an answer rather than asking.

Jiao Long slammed his fist on the table and shot up from his seat. Every one fell onto their knees, trembling at the dispute of the royal family. He stared into her eyes and saw deep anger and sorrow.

“Princess, that is enough,” Shirong scowled.

Xiu Juan, still looking into her brother’s eyes, nodded her head for she had her answer. She knew her father’s death was no accident but she wasn’t able say anything without proof and without anyone to support her claim. If she spoke now, Jiao Long would have her prosecuted to cover himself up and the more she would be unable to prove treason in the palace.

Unable to bear her headache any longer, Xiu Juan excused herself from her brother’s presence.

“Enjoy your cup of tea, brother,” she said as she turned her back to him, “you never know when it will be your last.”

Back in her chamber, she slumped onto her cushion mat by the tea table in her veranda and laid her head down. Her long hair fell over her shoulders and the layers from her black dress laid out extensively behind her. She turned and looked outside through the opened paper screen door and noticed the plum blossoms were blooming. A warm breeze traveled its way inside and kissed her soft skin. Breathing in the spring air deeply, she could smell the immature plum blossoms from her garden. Soon enough, she fell asleep where she sat.

Later that evening, she awoke to the sound of Luli sliding open the door. She carried in dinner and called out Xiu Juan’s name when she found she was nowhere in sight.

“I’m in here, Luli,” Xiu Juan replied, raising herself up from the table.

“Xiu Juan! What are you doing here sitting with the doors opened? The cold evening breeze can get you sick!” Luli exclaimed when she found her.

“I didn’t mean to. I fell asleep,” Xiu Juan explained.

Luli observed her and knelt down in front of her. “Are you feeling okay?” She asked, worried.

“Yes, just exhausted,” Xiu Juan responded softly.

“Well, I brought you your dinner. It’s ready for you.”

Xiu Juan shook her head, “I don’t want to eat. I think I’m just going to go to bed.”

Luli widened her eyes, “What? Go to bed without dinner? Xiu Juan you have to eat! You look so weak!” Luli placed her hand on Xiu Juan’s forehead. “You are burning! Xiu Juan, you have a fever!”

“I’ll just go to bed and sweat it off,” Xiu Juan insisted.

“No, I’ll go get you some medicine and soup,” Luli got herself up to leave.

“Luli, please don’t bother…” Xiu Juan tried to stop her but she already left through the door. Xiu Juan sat back and groaned, rubbing her forehead. Why is everyone around me so difficult? She complained to herself.

When Luli returned, Xiu Juan obligingly took her medicine and ate some of her soup.

“I want to go back outside of the walls,” Xiu Juan told Luli.

“Maybe when you’re better,” Luli suggested.

“No, I think it’ll be better for me out there anyway. The air is fresher and I can recover from your mother’s medicinal herbs. Besides, I forgot to gather some for myself,” Xiu Juan insisted. “We will go tomorrow morning. Prepare for our leave. And notify Bo.”

“But Xiu Juan—“ Luli tried to protest.

“I want to go out. Just for a few days until I’m refreshed,” Xiu Juan said.

Luli nodded and left to let Bo know of the plan and prepare for tomorrow morning. Xiu Juan, alone in her room, leaned back on her bed and uncovered Ying-tai’s charm that she had been wearing all this time from her robe. She untied it from her sash and raised it in front of her face. Looking at it, she immediately felt comfort and warmth. Gripping it tightly and clutching it close to her chest, she closed her eyes and dozed off into a peaceful sleep.